Albert Broccoli Net Worth

What was Albert Broccoli's net worth?

Albert Broccoli was an American film producer who had a net worth of $150 million at the time of his death in 1996. Albert "Cubby" Broccoli was a film producer renowned for his critical role in bringing Ian Fleming's suave spy, James Bond, to the silver screen. As the co-founder of Eon Productions, Broccoli's vision and tenacity turned the James Bond series into one of the most successful and enduring franchises in film history.

In 1961, Albert and a partner named Harry Saltzman acquired the rights to produce films based on Ian Flemming's James Bond novels. They soon struck a deal that gave movie studio MGM the exclusive right to produce and distribute their films.

Broccoli and Saltzman produced a number of hugely popular movies, including "Dr. No," "From Russia with Love," "Goldfinger," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamond Are Forever," "Live and Let Die," and "The Man and the Golden Gun."

In the mid-1970s, Henry Saltzman sold his rights to MGM. The resulting deal gave MGM and the Broccoli family 50/50 ownership over James Bond. That deal still exists today, even after Amazon's acquisition of MGM.

Outside of the "Bond" world, Albert Broccoli produced the films "The Red Beret," "Fire Down Below," "The Trials of Oscar Wilde," "Jazz Boat," "Call Me Bwana," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Moonraker," "For Your Eyes Only," and "Octopussy." He produced the films "A View to a Kill," "The Living Daylights," and "License to Kill" with Michael G. Wilson.

Broccoli won an Academy Award in 1982 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture at 6910 Hollywood Blvd.

Estate Inheritance

Albert was married three times and had three children, including producer Barbara Broccoli.

Albert Broccoli passed away on June 27, 1996, at 87 years old.

Upon his death, Albert's daughter, Barbara Broccoli, and stepson, Michael G. Wilson, inherited a 50/50 ownership in the family's production business. Before dying, Albert told Barbara and Michael:

"We have the golden egg here. Don't let anybody else screw it up."

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Early Life

Albert "Cubby" Broccoli was born on April 5, 1909, and passed away on June 27, 1996.

Broccoli began his journey in the film industry from humble beginnings. His family, known for their vegetable farming, including the broccoli variety, moved to Los Angeles when Albert was a young man. Starting in the film industry as a coffin polisher and assistant director, Broccoli gradually worked his way up the ranks.

Breaking into Production

After World War II, Broccoli moved to London and co-founded Warwick Films with Irving Allen. The company saw considerable success in the 1950s with a series of adventure films. However, a growing desire to create something enduring led Broccoli to part ways with Allen and seek out new opportunities.

The Birth of James Bond on the Big Screen

In 1961, Ian Fleming's frustration with Hollywood finally ended when he struck a landmark deal that would transform his James Bond novels into one of cinema's most successful franchises. After years of false starts, including a low-paying CBS adaptation of "Casino Royale" in 1954, Canadian producer Harry Saltzman secured a six-month option on Fleming's Bond novels for $50,000.

The deal's structure was crucial to its success. Saltzman offered Fleming $100,000 for each novel adapted into a film, plus a share of profits. With only weeks remaining on his option, Saltzman partnered with American producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli. The pair formed EON Productions and quickly secured a $1 million commitment from United Artists for the first film.

However, the agreement had notable exclusions. "Casino Royale" wasn't included because its rights had been sold previously. Fleming specifically restricted the use of "The Spy Who Loved Me," allowing only its title to be used for future films. "Thunderball" was initially excluded due to legal disputes with writer Kevin McClory, though it was later produced in 1965 after a settlement that gave McClory producer credit and remake rights.

Fleming surrendered creative control in exchange for financial security, which he needed for medical bills. Though initially skeptical about Sean Connery's casting as Bond in "Dr. No," Fleming later embraced the actor's portrayal, even adding Scottish heritage to Bond's background in subsequent novels. The deal proved transformative for both Fleming's finances and his books' popularity, as the films drove increased sales of his novels.

The timing was bittersweet. Fleming passed away in August 1964, shortly before "Goldfinger" premiered, but he lived long enough to see "Dr. No" (1962) and "From Russia with Love" (1963) become successful. He had witnessed his creation's successful transition to the screen and the beginning of what would become a global phenomenon.

As we mentioned previously, in the mid-1970s, Harry Saltzman sold his 50% share in the film rights to MGM. For the next five decades, Bond was a 50/50 partnership between members of the Broccoli family and MGM. In 2022, MGM was acquired by Amazon for $6.5 billion. The deal did not include creative control or ownership over the Bond franchise. In February 2025, Amazon reached a deal with Albert's daughter, Barbara Broccoli, and stepson, Michael, to acquire creative control. The deal was rumored to be a $1 billion payment.

The 1961 deal's structure – combining upfront payments, per-film fees, and profit participation – became the foundation for decades of James Bond films. While the $50,000 option might seem modest by today's standards, it launched a franchise that would far exceed anyone's expectations. It also established a model where the author benefited from ongoing film success while giving producers the creative freedom to adapt the works for cinema. The deal's legacy continues today, as the framework it established still governs how EON Productions brings James Bond to the screen.

Revolutionizing the Spy Genre

Under Broccoli's stewardship, the Bond series revolutionized the spy genre, blending exotic locations, thrilling action, high-tech gadgets, and charismatic villains with the charm and sophistication of Bond. Broccoli's vision for Bond was consistent yet adaptable, allowing the franchise to evolve with changing times and audience expectations.

Transition and Legacy

In the 1970s, Saltzman sold his share of Eon to United Artists, making Broccoli the sole custodian of Bond. Despite the massive responsibility, he successfully steered the franchise through multiple Bond actors, ensuring its continued success. In the late 1980s, Broccoli began to step back from active production, passing the reins to his stepson, Michael G. Wilson, and daughter, Barbara Broccoli, who continue to produce Bond films today.

Real Estate

From 1969 until he died in 1996, Albert and his wife lived in a lavish 3+ acre Beverly Hills mansion. He bought the house in 1969 for $440,000, which is the same as around $3 million in today's dollars. After his death, Albert's widow Dana lived in the house for several years and then leased the house to Diane Keaton. The Broccoli family sold the home to interior designer Kelly Wearstler and her wealthy husband Brad Korzen in 2004 for $25 million. For a period, Kelly and Brad leased the house for $350,000 per month. In 2016, designer Tom Ford, who coincidentally dressed James Bond actors in several Bond movies, paid $50 million for the house.

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